Drinks

Rakia
Rakia is as rooted in Bulgarian history and existence as is bourbon in American. It has aided the nation in surviving its hardest years and has helped bring many bright ideas to live. In case you haven't tried it yet, rakia is hard liquor from the brandy family. It is made from fermented grapes, plums, or virtually any fruit with sugars in it. Its alcohol content varies from 40% for the commercially sold liquor to 70-80% of pure firewater for the home-produced rakia. Some of the most popular brands of rakia are Peshterska, Slivenksa Perla, Sungurlarska, Burgas 63, Kehlibar, Karnobat. Drink it ice cold, preferably straight up (no rocks), and have a Shopska salad, lukanka or at least a few pickles standing by. Click for more info.

 

Boza
Increasingly popular across Europe and the world for its proved qualities for augmenting women's breasts, boza is one of the most typical Bulgarian soft drinks. Well, since it had undergone some fermentation, it contains traces of alcohol but don't worry, your stomach's expansion limits will prevent you from getting drunk by its ~0.9% alcohol. The boza is made from baked wheat flour or millet and has sweet and slightly sour taste. Drink it with banitsa or with your girlfriend. Click for recipe.

 

Ayran
Made out of yogurt and water, ayran is the simplest drink you can prepare yourself besides, well, pouring yourself a glass water. Put some salt in it and you have in your hand a combination of the best cure for a hangover, a hot summer weather relief drink, a thirst quencher, and a nutritious smoothie. You can't prepare it with regular yogurt though - you have to use genuine Bulgarian yogurt, otherwise you risk ruining you taste buds for the day. Drink it with a large piece of banitsa. Click for recipe.

 

Mineral Water
Mineral water is huge in Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a country with many mineral springs scattered across the entire country. It's cheaper to buy a bottle of mineral water than a bottle of regular purified water. It's healthier too. The level of mineralization and the temperature of the mineral water differs across the country's regions. Drink it from the bottle.

 

Beer
Well, beer is beer. Not too much to say here. You probably would not believe if we say that most of the Bulgarian beer is equally good as its German or Belgian counterparts but go and try one - you will see what we mean. Oh, one thing - Bulgarian beer contains on average 10% alcohol, most of other beer stops at 5.5%. The most popular beers, in order of preference, are Kamenitza, Zagorka, Astika, Shumensko, Burgasko and Plevensko. Drink it with friends or with another beer.

 

Wine
It is a universal truth that the Bulgarian wines are one of the best wines in the world. The unique technologies with which Bulgarian wines are produced date back to the ancient Thracians times. Bulgaria has almost perfect conditions for growing the best quality grapes. Its warm Mediterranean climate, combined with hilly terrains and good quality soils contribute for the country to be the second largest exporter of bottled wine in the world, second only to France. For example, the area planted with Cabernet Sauvignon is four times the area planted with vines in California. Drink it with Bulgarian cheese sprinkled with sweet red pepper and with a lot of friends.